Massive Protests Erupt Over Alleged Sexual Assault at Thane School

Protestors gathered at Badlapur Railway Station against the alleged sexual assault of two minors at a Thane district school. Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar announced the arrest of one accused and promised maximum punishment. Heavy security was deployed as local trains halted due to the agitation.

A massive protest took place at Badlapur Railway Station on Tuesday, sparked by the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls at a school in Thane district. Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed the arrest of one accused and vowed that he would face the maximum punishment possible.

Minister Kesarkar described the incident as a 'very sad' occurrence and highlighted that the entire state education department's machinery has been activated. He revealed that instructions have been given to four IAS officers from Pune and Mumbai to investigate why the school's CCTV was not functioning. Following the complaint, a Senior Police Inspector was transferred for not taking immediate action. Kesarkar assured that the case will be expedited through a Fast Track court.

To improve student safety, the Education Minister announced the formation of Vishakha Committees in every school. He added that two teachers, a headmaster, a class teacher, and two assistants have been suspended. The incident, which took place between August 13 and 16, has led to one person being arrested under the POCSO Act, potentially facing up to 13 and a half years in prison. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi voiced the state's outrage and called for the approval of the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Chaturvedi criticized societal norms that blame victims for assaults, asking rhetorically what measures could have prevented this crime, which occurred on school premises. Meanwhile, heavy security was deployed to manage the protesting crowd at Badlapur Railway Station, leading to local train services being halted as the agitation unfolded.